IBM Selected as Partner for Webcast of 41st Annual GRAMMY
e-business and music leaders join forces to bring world’s largest music event to the Web
Santa Monica, CA & Armonk, NY (November 18, 1998) – The National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences (Recording Academy) today announced that it has selected IBM as its partner to sponsor and produce the official Webcast of the 41st Annual GRAMMY Awards. The GRAMMY Webcast, on www.GRAMMY.com, will launch in early February 1999, reaching its crescendo on February 24, the day of the awards ceremony.
The GRAMMY Webcast marks IBM’s debut in the entertainment Webcasting arena. It is the most recent addition to IBM’s extensive portfolio of compelling, highly trafficked Web sites for high-profile events, including numerous major golf tournaments, the four Grand Slam tennis championships and the Olympic Games.
“The Recording Academy is continually looking for ways to stay at the forefront of technology, especially as it relates to music and the GRAMMYs,” said Michael Greene, president/CEO of the Recording Academy. “A collaboration with IBM was our first choice because they are the only company capable of handling the magnitude and worldwide reach of this very innovative media project. The new Academy/IBM partnership promises to take the GRAMMY Webcast to a whole new level.”
As the information technology and multimedia partner for the GRAMMY Awards, IBM’s Atlanta-based interactive media group will design, develop, host and power the official Webcast, offering exclusive coverage of many of the festivities before and after the GRAMMY Awards ceremony, which fans can only experience on the Internet.
By logging onto www.GRAMMY.com, fans will have a virtual backstage pass to the Awards, with a behind-the-scenes view of five days of rehearsals, nominee parties, interviews and chats with artists. Historical information about the GRAMMY Awards will also be available. The Webcast will showcase leading-edge e-business solutions and technology, including streaming audio and video, Java functionality and Web cameras.
“The Internet and music are powerful channels to reach the cross-generational audience important to both the Recording Academy and IBM, and we look forward to bringing our e-business expertise and special Web events experience to the 41st Annual GRAMMY Awards,” said Marianne Caponnetto, director of worldwide media strategy and operations for IBM. “GRAMMY.com gives us another highly visible platform to showcase how IBM helps its customers and partners use the power of the Internet to connect with their audiences in creative new ways.”
Source: IBM